Couples therapy is a type of talk therapy that is centered around resolving issues and addressing dysfunctional patterns to improve your relationship long-term. This type of therapy can be conducted online or in person and is often led by a licensed clinical social worker, a marriage and family therapist or a professional clinical counselor.
Read MoreSeasonal Affective Disorder is not spoken about as widely as depression and other mental health conditions, even though it affects over 10 million adults in the US, which is about 5% of the population.
So what does Seasonal Affective Disorder look like? It depends partially on when your symptoms onset. There are two different patterns for SAD winter and summer. The more common of the two is winter, and the symptoms are losing interest in hobbies, having cravings for carbohydrates, weight gain, feelings of listlessness, and worthlessness, as well as feeling sad and even suicidal. However, the most common side effect is tiredness and sluggishness that persist regardless of how much you sleep. This further reinforces the idea that the condition is related to our circadian rhythm. The symptoms often arrive around October and may persist through February and even early March.
Read MoreMost people only see their therapist a handful of times a month for an hour at a time. With the limitations of time, it is important to use every tool at your disposal to make the most of every session. For those of you who may be looking for some helpful tips to jumpstart your therapy goals and get more out of your sessions, this article is a must-read.
Read MoreThe end of a year and beginning of a new one is a time for reflection and an opportunity to take inventory of our memories and experiences. This process can be enjoyable and some might find themselves indulging in nostalgia or comparing where they ended to where they began. While this is a very common way to approach the New Year, if we want to make the practice more meaningful and impactful we can employ mindfulness.
Read MoreThe holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, warmth, and togetherness. However, for those who are grappling with grief, this time of year can be incredibly challenging. Whether you're mourning the loss of a loved one, a relationship, or a significant aspect of your life, the holidays can intensify feelings of sadness and loneliness. In this blog post, we'll explore gentle strategies to cope with grief during the holiday season and find moments of peace and healing.
Read MoreGrowing your sense of self and feeling secure in your skin has several benefits for almost every aspect of your mental health. It’s an underlier in most discussions we have about mental health improvement. Building and developing this sense is hard enough, but it can be harder when we hit roadblocks and participate in self-sabotaging activities. If you do not feel that there's been an actionable path to growing your sense of self, you might want to evaluate what is holding you back.
Read MoreIn any facet of life, we must be able to communicate. Whether in a professional setting, our personal lives, or even practical situations, being able to relay your message clearly and concisely is a skill that can be used almost every day. Communication is the foundation for expression, and an essential part of bonding and negotiating with others as well as spreading information. Being a good communicator could be the key to getting more out of your therapy sessions, or resolving issues that may crop up in your domestic or work life.
Read MoreAs Thanksgiving approaches, the excitement of festive gatherings and the promise of indulgent feasts can be accompanied by the anxiety of body image concerns and disordered eating patterns. The holiday season, often revolving around food-centric events, presents unique challenges for individuals on a journey towards healing. If the upcoming holiday brings up more fears than excitement for you, take a moment to consider the following strategies to prepare for Thanksgiving with mindfulness and self-compassion.
Read MoreThough the holidays can be an extraordinary and fun time for families and friends, it is also known to be one of the most stressful times of the year for several reasons. According to a study by NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness), 64% of those who suffer from mental health concerns throughout the year report that holidays put additional stress on their condition.
Read MoreMost everyone has situations in their daily life where they have to speak to others. Beyond this, however, our social lives and romantic partnerships hinge on effective and honest communication to keep things on track. Holding back on talking about things that are important to us can have negative consequences for ourselves and for the person we are withholding communication from. We owe it to ourselves and those we care about to offer our honest opinions, even when those opinions are not always what the other person may want to hear. This is why in this article, we want to offer some tips to help improve your communication skills and give insight into overcoming fears surrounding expressing yourself.
Read MoreWith so much polarization about topics such as racial equality, gender politics, and sexuality in the news and online, it has become increasingly important to be proactive in educating yourself and those close to you about how to be a good ally. Today, we want to focus on one group in particular: the LGBTQ+ community. Here at bareWell, we unwaveringly support this community and want to empower others to uplift them, as well as give tips and information to encourage our readers to do the same.
Read MoreFirst and foremost, the organizations supporting these athletes are responsible for their well-being and establishing a healthy working environment. With that being said, the policies of these sports organizations can be impacted when athletes address their struggles publicly. This brings us to the topic we’re discussing today: we want to recognize those who have helped shape the culture of mental health awareness in sports and recount some stories of brave athletes who broke the mold when speaking about their struggles for the betterment of the community.
Read MoreWith September being Suicide Awareness Month, we have an opportunity to shine light on a difficult topic that is often invisible, but increasingly common in our society. Even with increased awareness around suicide, many common misconceptions still persist, sometimes making those struggling with suicide feel alienated, alone, or deficient. With that in mind, let’s talk about and challenge some of the most common myths about suicide, and learn some tools to identify its threats.
Read MoreIn today's world of hustle culture, it’s easy to feel like your worth is tied to your productivity. Many of us struggle with defining clear boundaries around work while navigating potentially manipulative workplace practices and still striving to reach our own goals. This is not only prevalent in the workforce but in most aspects of our lives, and it affects adults of all ages.
Read MoreEven if you’ve never experience an eating disorder, the task of navigating today’s expectations, beauty standards, diet culture, and exposure to “ideal” bodies on social media is enough to make most people think twice about indulging in their favorite foods. It’s important to consume healthy foods rich in nutrients, however, rewriting from a guilt-centric mindset around eating is essential to having a healthy relationship with your body and food. Remember, food is the fuel for your body and your mind, and without it, your functioning in both will suffer. Eating a good meal can improve your alertness and energy levels, and getting all of your proper nutritional components will help you to have a healthier body and improve its function.
Read MoreOne defining characteristic of a good partnership is fairness and a sense of give and take. Even if you and your friend have similar interests, if there is a disagreement, a good friend will allow you your say and consider your wishes, even if they don't align with theirs. Good friends will appreciate the time spent together, even if it’s not exactly what they want to be doing. This also means that they shouldn't guilt you for liking the things you do or be begrudging when it comes to compromise. Acknowledging that you both have needs that deserve to be met is a sign of respect.
First off, what is Self-esteem? It can be defined as how you view yourself and the value you place on your well-being and satisfaction. This is not limited to liking how you look and who you are, self-esteem also extends into worthiness. Self-worth plays a huge role in your worldview, internal dialogue, mental health, motivation, and self-fulfillment. This also may affect how much effort you put into self-improvement, or how important you think it is that your needs be met.
Read MoreStress and disillusionment among college grads are well documented by professional psychologists and academic leaders. As of 2022 over two-thirds of college students have experienced significant emotional distress. In a study by the American College Health Association (ACHA) 35% of students claimed to have anxiety, and 27% claimed depression. This study also pointed to worrying trends of high stress, isolation, hopelessness, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation among the students surveyed with the most affected groups being college athletes and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Read MoreThe LGBTQ community is vibrant, powerful, tenacious, and unapologetic in its pursuit of self-expression, and these are traits we all should seek to emulate. During June, and year-round, finding appreciation for the differences that make each and every one of us unique and special is not only good for marginalized groups but for you as well. Love is always stronger than fear, and despite the hardships the LGBTQ community faces they continue to rise in the face of adversity. As we join in celebrating Pride Month help others put aside their biases, continue to love and cherish your LGBTQ friends and family, and live proudly.
Read MoreMost of us probably have the image in mind of video calling our parents only to see their cameras to their ears because they don’t understand they’re on video. It’s always a little funny for more tech-literate people to see the ways that seniors interact with new tech. However, this shouldn’t discourage younger family members from helping Grandma get the hang of it. Despite the learning curve, seniors are one of the groups who most benefit from the tech boom.
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